UniBond Premier
22 March 2003
Altrincham 0 Hucknall Town 0
Summary and other details by John Laidlar. His full report is in the Official Site
Altrincham's form had taken a dip recently, though a string of long-term injuries had had a lot to do with that. By contrast, Hucknall had been doing well and lay third in the form table over the last eight games. The game was played in bright sunshine on what was probably the warmest day of the year so far.
TEAM NEWS
Today Barry Shuttleworth joined the injured list with a bruised foot, whilst Rod Thornley, Danny Murphy, Dave Gardner and Sean Smith also remained sidelined. Mark Maddox was back, after missing Tuesday's game due to a family illness. Steve Lunt made only his second league start whilst the bench comprised three players still coming back to full fitness- Ryan, Sullivan and Clegg.
SUMMARY
Altrincham missed a last minute penalty when Ian Craney's effort was saved by keeper Young. Alty were without regular penalty takers Thornley and Shuttleworth, through injury. In truth, Altrincham rarely threatened the Hucknall goal and, though the visitors had a lot of corners, they too lacked any incision up front. Ironically Craney had just been named Man of the Match before the penalty came, for handball.
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| Mascot Toby Spratt whose grand father Tommy used to play for Altrincham in the 70's |
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| Toby waits with captain mark Maddox until the referee tosses the coin |
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| Neil Dawson presenting the a match ball to Frank Mallon of HFM Consulting Engineers the Match Ball sponsors |
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| Gary Talbot is in a real mix up watched by Peter band |
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| Paul Robertson on the attack |
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| Peter band on the run watched by Stephen Lunt |
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| Stephen Lunt in a race to the ball |
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| A great save Ryan Young despite some close attention from Peter Band |
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| In anticipation |
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| Mark Maddox backing in |
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| Out of the way please says Steven Clegg |
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| Hucknall Town had some big men in their defense, substitute Steven Clegg despite being dwarfed was a very effective in attack |
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| In the last minute of extra time Ryan Young saves from a penalty taken by Man of the Match Ian Craney |
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| Frank Mallon of HFM Consulting Engineers, the Match Ball sponsors presenting the Thresher Man of the Match award to Ian Craney |